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EP 1 459 204 A1

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(43) Date of publication: 22.09.2004 Bulletin 2004/39 (21) Application number: 02803616.8 (22) Date of filing: 14.11.2002

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: G06F 17/00, G06F 17/60, H04L 9/00, H04K 1/00 (86) International application number: PCT/US2002/036455 (87) International publication number: WO 2003/044689 (30.05.2003 Gazette 2003/22)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE SK TR Designated Extension States: AL LT LV MK RO SI (30) Priority: 15.11.2001 US 999310 (71) Applicant: PITNEY BOWES INC. Stamford, CT 06926 (US)	(72) Inventor: KOVLAKAS, Paul, A. Milford, CT 06460 (US) (74) Representative: HOFFMANN EITLE  Patent- und RechtsanwälteArabellastrasse 4 81925 München 81925 München (DE)